Four abalone thieves fined a total of $29,500

A total of $29,500 in fines has been issued to four men in separate incidents of abalone theft on the south coast of NSW.

One of the men had already been convicted of abalone related offences in four States, while the other three were first time offenders.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Manager Special Operations (Fisheries) Tony Andrews said these fines send out a clear message to first time and repeat offenders, that stealing abalone, a community resource, would not be tolerated.

‘One man alone was fined $15,000,’ he said.

Mr Andrews said recreational divers are allowed to take and possess two abalone. 

‘You must have paid a NSW recreational fishing fee to enable you to take abalone. The minimum size for abalone is 11.5 centimetres in NSW. Licensed abalone divers in NSW work under a strict quota managed fishery,’ Mr Andrews said.

• On 25 August, a 20-year-old Pambula man was apprehended by NSW Police and NSW DPI Officers with two other men at Eden. He was in possession of 358 shucked abalone, and assorted backpacks and dive equipment. All abalone, gear and his vehicle were seized.

  On 30 November, the Eden Court fined the man $2000 for possessing fish taken contrary to fishing closure and $4000 for possessing more than the maximum quantity of abalone, plus court costs $130.
   

• In July 2004, a 35-year-old man of Lansvale, Sydney, was apprehended at Greencape, south of Eden with another man who is due to face court soon.

  He was apprehended by NSW DPI Fisheries officers in possession of 375 abalone, of which 317 were prohibited size. All abalone were seized and approximately half were still alive and returned to the water, the rest were shucked (removed from shell). Two sets of dive gear were also seized.

  At the time of the offence the possession limit for abalone was 10, it is now two.

  On 29 November, the Bega Court fined the man $10,000 for possessing more than the maximum quantity of abalone and $5000 for possessing prohibited size abalone, plus $65 court costs.

  The man has previously been convicted of abalone related offences in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
   

• In November 2004, a 28-year-old Cobargo man was apprehended at Bermagui by NSW DPI Fisheries Officers in possession of 92 abalone, of which 74 were prohibited size. All abalone were seized and returned to the water alive.

  On 29 November, the Bega Court fined the man $1000 for possessing more than the maximum quantity of abalone and $500 for possessing prohibited size abalone, plus $65 court costs.
   

• In November 2004, a 20-year-old man from Mogo was apprehended by NSW DPI Fisheries Officers at Kioloa with two other men in possession of 205 abalone, of which 202 were prohibited size, and two eastern rock lobsters both prohibited size. All abalone and lobsters were seized and returned to the water. Three sets of dive gear were also seized.

  On 24 November, the Milton Court fined the man $3000 for possessing more than the maximum quantity of abalone, $3000 for possessing prohibited size abalone, and $1000 for possessing prohibited size eastern rock lobsters, plus $65 court costs.

Mr Andrews said any information relating to illegal diving or fishing activities should be reported immediately to the nearest DPI Fisheries or by calling the Fishers Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536.

Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.